Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/39393
FOR THE RECORD TRUCKING NEWS Sweetening the deal Carriers increase incentives for owner-operators MAX KVIDERA s driver pools tighten, carriers are offering sign-on bonuses as high as $10,000 and other incen- tives to attract owner-operators. Over the past year, several carri- ers have increased per-mile and fuel rates, posted bonuses and reduced truck-lease payments to compete for operators or persuade company driv- ers to convert to ownership. FFE Transportation has restruc- tured its Drive-to-Own truck lease pro- gram by reducing weekly payments and balloon amounts and extending manufacturer warranty programs. In January the carrier launched a driv- er academy to train applicants look- ing for a CDL and to educate them on potential career paths. "We want to grow our operators," says Rob Newell, A FYI Walcott holds truckstop jamboree Nearly 30,000 drivers and their fami- lies from 23 states and Canada joined festivities at this year's Walcott Truckers Jamboree at the Iowa 80 Truck Stop. The event featured more than 175 exhibits, a truck beauty contest, an antique truck display, Trucker Olympics, and a concert by Marty Stuart. Fleets offer veterans program Crete Carrier and Shaffer Trucking are now offering a training program for military veterans. The program is available to drivers who have a Class A CDL, have been honorably discharged, have two years of active duty military experience within the past five years and have one year of military tractor-trailer experience. Ryan claims hillclimb record Stunt driver Mike Ryan raced his custom-built Freightliner Cascadia to the summit of Mount Washington in Pinkham Notch, N.H., in the Climb to the Clouds hillclimb. He roared up the 7.6-mile serpentine tarmac and gravel road to the 6,288-foot summit in 8 minutes, 2 seconds, claiming a record for the course. He hit a top speed of 94 mph. 14 TRUCKERS NEWS SEPTEMBER 2011 New York City law mandates mirrors A new law will require truck driv- ers traveling in New York City to mount front-end mirrors. Beginning Jan. 18, 2012, trucks at least 26,000 pounds and base-plated in New York must have the mirrors when traveling through any of the city's five boroughs. Caterpillar fined $2.55 million Caterpillar agreed to pay a $2.55 million penalty as part of a settlement with the U.S. Environ- mental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Justice for a vice president at Dallas-based FFE Transportation. "Let's face it, we've lost so many of them in the last three to four years." All-owner-operator Roadrunner Transportation Services is offering up to a $10,000 bonus spread over five quarters to experienced oper- ators who sign on to the compa- ny's linehaul division, says Mark Pluff, director of linehaul develop- ment. He says the bonus varies de- pending on lanes where the compa- ny wants to add power. He declines to divulge how many operators have signed on, but adds the program has exceeded expectations and will be continued. "We've gotten good re- sponse from a much higher caliber contractor," Pluff says. In August, small all-owner- operator carrier Christenson Trans- port increased contractor pay from 88 cents a mile to 91 cents and added 5 cents a mile for East Coast routes. The Springfield, Mo.-based carrier of- fers a $3,500 bonus that is paid by re- ducing truck lease payments by $75 a week, says Barry McGowen, vice pres- ident. "We also pay half the per-mile rate for the first 100 empty miles and increase the percentage as the mile- age goes up," he says. In February, Barr-Nunn Transpor- tation increased its base rate for owner-operators 3 cents a mile to $1 a mile and 10 cents a mile to 80 cents empty, says Jeff Blank, direc- tor of recruiting for the Granger, Io- wa-based company. The carrier also NEWS BRIEFS alleged Clean Air Act violations. Cat allegedly shipped more than 590,000 highway and nonroad diesel engines without correct emissions controls. Caterpillar also allegedly failed to comply with emission con- trol reporting and engine-labeling requirements. Used truck orders increase Used Class 3-8 truck sales in June increased 9 percent over May despite a lack of available inventory, said ACT Research Co. For the year, used sales are 6 percent behind last year's pace. Meanwhile, the firm reported net trailer orders in June